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Wednesday, August 1, 2012

The Rights of Chickens

I am not a political person, and
it took a lot for me to decide to stick my nose into the quagmire and make this
post. I know I should probably be more
involved, but I find the whole process reminiscent of a clown convention and
even clowns after awhile become tedious.
To be honest, I think government has grown beyond what it was ever
intended for and, like my feelings toward the church, I believe they should practice
what they preach. They don’t and I doubt
they ever will, which is why stand up comics have so much material.

I am also of the mindset to live
and let live. I don’t care how my
neighbors live their lives as long as they keep their damn dogs out of my
yard. I like to walk barefoot and I don’t
need an early morning squishy surprise.
You see, I don’t care if people go to church or not. I also don’t care if they are hetero or
homosexual or if they love tattoos or piercings or like to dye their hair to
resemble a snow cone. It doesn’t matter
to me, because it’s not my life; it’s theirs.
They have to live it and with their decisions.

Now, that doesn’t mean that I
have to agree with everything that’s out there.
Personally, I’m not into all of the body art and weird piercings that some
of my friends seem to enjoy. I am also
not big on organized church or vegans.
However, I have family and friends that are and I accept them as
is. Still, acceptance does not equal
agreement.

What I have noticed over the
years is that in order for some to feel accepted, everyone has to agree with
their choices and beliefs. While trying to fight for their rights, they are quite willing to trample the rights of others. Their way is the right way and yet,
truthfully, there is no single right way for everyone. This world breeds diversity. It’s that quality that has propelled us into
the future.

The news has been rampant with
the battle being fought between Chick-fil-A and the gay rights movement. So have Facebook, Twitter, and bloggers
across the United States. However, it’s
not really a fight, but more of a bullying tactic to force people to be in
agreement with their viewpoints on life.

Now, before anyone tries to
surmise which side I am on and prejudge me, allow me to say that I am on both
sides. “Fence rider!” I hear people
scream, but I assure you that is not the case.
You see, I agree with both sides, but in different areas.

I do not agree with founder Dan
Cathy’s stance on traditional marriage.
I believe everyone has a right to a loving, consensual partnership
regardless of the genders in the mix. As
a society, we have evolved past the narrow view of “this way or no way.” I believe homosexual couples should be able
to adopt and raise children. Any person
who believes a child is better off in an orphanage or in the foster system as opposed
to a loving home regardless of the sexual orientation of the parents has never
been in the system or visited an orphanage.

I believe that everyone under the
law should have the same rights, benefits, and protections as everyone else
regardless of sex, race, age or culture.
It doesn’t matter whether it’s an agreed upon lifestyle or not, it must
be accepted and protected.

However, whether I agree with Mr.
Cathy or not, I believe that he has the right to his opinion and his beliefs. I disagree that he should be quiet and hide
his viewpoints. If the gay community
wants the same rights as everyone else in all things they have to be accepting
of those who disagree with them, just as they disagree with others. I have watched videos, read reports and news articles,
and listened to people who have ridiculed and mocked Chick-fil-A for its
beliefs. People no longer see the real
issues, but only the childish bullying of a few people with internet access. Shock value is not always beneficial in a protest; it can go too far.

People have the right to live
their lives as they choose with whomever they choose. Likewise, people have the right to disagree
and say so. We cannot push the gay
rights movement at the risk of Freedom of Speech. If we do, then that shuts both sides up and
no one wins.

4 comments:

Ok, take two on my post! This is a great post, Robbie and I applaud your honest position, even if it is as you called it, "a fence rider." I was just discussing this same issue tonight with my partner (yes I'm gay) and we both agreed that unfortunately we have to expect as we fight for what we consider our equal rights, the others do have a right to express their views. Just as large companies such as Starbucks have come out in support of gay rights, others such as Chick-fil-A have the right to express theirs. It doesn't mean we have to like it, agree with it or embrace it but it is their right. I can only hope that one day we all can look back and say, "what was the big deal?" Just as we have done with other civil rights in the past. Until then, the debate continues and others like me will proudly head to Starbucks! : ) Thanks for the honest opinion.

Thank you, Stephanie! We are actually in the mix as well with our son and daughter and as I tell them, fight for what you believe in, but fight in a way that gains you respect, not ridicule. I agree; one day it will all be history and people will be shaking their heads wondering what was the big deal. Until then, we love, we protest, and we accept all people. Thanks for sharing!

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About Robbie

The Mess That Is Me is merely my unique observations that sometimes find themselves hiding in the dark corners of a twisted mind. It is a sampling of what clutters my desk and fills the manila envelopes that find their way to editors In-boxes. If you enjoy what you read, please share the URL.

I live in sunny Florida where I spend my days taxiing the family to various places while jotting down the many crazy thoughts inside my head. I enjoy a freelance career writing for several magazines sharing some of my interesting viewpoints on life and those around me. I can usually be found on my back porch watching the squirrels chittering at the birds while enjoying a cigar, a scotch, and the many characters that talk to me inside my head.

My manuscripts have appeared in religious, parenting and retirement magazines, along with a ghost story or two. I am the author of the short story, Circle of Justice and the novella, Reaping the Harvest, both of which can be found at Smashwords.com, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon. Feel free to visit, strike up a chat and share a story or two with me.